The ongoing courtroom battle over the late industrialist Sunjay Kapur’s will has turned into one of the most closely watched legal dramas in India’s celebrity and business circles. The dispute has drawn public attention for its unusual combination of family legacy, inheritance, and emotional conflict, pitting the two most important women of his life — ex-wife and actress Karisma Kapoor and widow Priya Sachdev Kapur — against each other, indirectly through their children.
At the heart of the case lies a fundamental question: Who rightfully inherits Sunjay Kapur’s vast estate, reportedly worth over ₹30,000 crore?
Background: The Life and Legacy of Sunjay Kapur
Sunjay Kapur, scion of the Kapoor family and chairman of the auto component giant Sona Group, passed away in August 2025 in the United Kingdom. His sudden demise sent shockwaves through India’s business community and Bollywood circles alike.
He left behind his wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur, and two children from his earlier marriage with Karisma Kapoor — Samaira and Kiaan Raj Kapoor.
The Will Dispute: What Triggered the Courtroom Clash
Soon after his passing, a purported will emerged, reportedly drafted and signed in the UK, which allegedly left a significant portion of Sunjay’s estate to his current wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur, with limited mention of his children from Karisma Kapoor.
This prompted Samaira and Kiaan, represented through their legal guardians, to file a petition in the Delhi High Court, contesting the authenticity of the will. They claim the document is forged, fabricated, and riddled with inconsistencies.
Their key arguments include:
- The will uses female pronouns like “she” and “her” when referring to Sunjay — an implausible linguistic error.
- Their names are misspelled multiple times.
- The language allegedly demeans Sunjay’s image, portraying him as a careless individual, inconsistent with his professional stature.
The children’s legal team argues that such glaring errors cast serious doubt on the legitimacy of the document.
The Defense: Priya Sachdev Kapur’s Stand
On the other side, Priya Sachdev Kapur, represented by senior advocate Harish Salve, has filed an application to dismiss the partition suit filed by Karisma Kapoor’s children.
Her argument emphasizes that minor clerical or typographical errors do not invalidate a will, and that the petitioners have not produced credible proof of coercion, fraud, or mental incapacity.
Priya maintains that the will is authentic and valid, claiming that Sunjay had full knowledge of its contents and signed it voluntarily in the presence of witnesses.
Representation in Court
- For Karisma Kapoor’s children (Samaira & Kiaan Raj Kapoor):
Lead Counsel for Karisma’s Children
Mahesh Jethmalani is representing Samaira Kapoor and Kiaan Raj Kapoor (children of Karisma Kapoor and the late Sunjay Kapur) in their legal challenge to the alleged will. He has been leading arguments in the Delhi High Court on their behalf. - For Priya Sachdev Kapur (widow of Sunjay Kapur):
Senior Advocate Harish Salve, assisted by lawyer Malavika Rajkotia, represents Priya’s side, defending the will’s legality and the procedural integrity of its execution.
The case has already seen multiple high-stakes hearings before the Delhi High Court, with both sides producing voluminous documentation and expert affidavits.
The “Wife vs Wife” Drama Explained
Although popularly described as a “wife vs wife” clash, the legal battle technically involves Sunjay Kapur’s children as petitioners and his widow as the respondent. Karisma Kapoor herself is not a direct litigant but is actively supporting her children’s case.
This legal showdown underscores the tension between emotional inheritance and legal inheritance, especially in families that straddle business dynasties and celebrity lives.
Do Karisma Kapoor’s Children Have a Share?
As of now, no official share has been granted to Samaira and Kiaan Raj.
The case is still in progress, and their share will depend on the court’s interpretation of the will’s validity.
If the will is declared invalid, succession would proceed under intestate succession laws, granting equal rights to all legal heirs, including the children and the widow.
Past Custody and Family Dynamics
Karisma Kapoor and Sunjay Kapur’s tumultuous relationship ended in divorce in 2016 after years of public controversy. The custody of their children was granted to Karisma, while Sunjay retained limited visitation rights.
Over the years, Karisma has publicly maintained that she prioritized her children’s emotional and financial well-being, a theme that resurfaces now as she stands beside them in this inheritance dispute.
A Broader Context: When Fathers Neglect Their Children’s Rights
The current case has reminded many observers of other high-profile instances in India where powerful fathers allegedly neglected or disinherited their children.
One notable example is the late liquor baron Ponty Chadha’s family dispute, in which questions arose over asset division and the lack of equitable provisions for certain family members. Similarly, the Ramanand Sagar family case involved allegations that one branch of heirs was sidelined in matters of inheritance and management of family wealth.
Such cases highlight how emotional neglect often extends into financial decisions, with courts increasingly emphasizing the moral and legal responsibility of parents — especially fathers — to safeguard the long-term security of their children.
Legal Angle: How Courts Treat Disputed Wills
In India, a will can be contested on several grounds, including:
- Forgery or fabrication
- Lack of testamentary capacity
- Undue influence or coercion
- Suspicious circumstances, such as inconsistent language, improbable bequests, or unexplained alterations.
Courts generally expect the propounder of the will (the person claiming it is genuine) to dispel all suspicion through credible witnesses and evidence.
While typos or grammatical slips alone do not invalidate a will, multiple irregularities, as seen here, can shift the burden of proof to the defending party.
What Happens Next
The Delhi High Court will now evaluate expert handwriting reports, witness testimonies, and digital evidence regarding the will’s creation. If the court finds the document invalid, the estate could be distributed according to the Hindu Succession Law, giving Karisma’s children equal rights.
However, if the will stands validated, Priya Sachdev Kapur will remain the primary beneficiary, with the children possibly entitled to only limited provisions.
The case is expected to continue into early 2026, with high public and media interest given the celebrity and corporate dimensions involved.
The Sunjay Kapur inheritance battle is more than a legal fight — it’s a reflection of how family fractures, emotional estrangement, and wealth collide in India’s elite circles.
Whether the court sides with Priya Sachdev Kapur’s defense of the will or Karisma Kapoor’s children’s plea for fairness, this case will likely redefine how inheritance laws protect minors and blended families in high-profile legacies.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available court proceedings and verified details as of October 2025. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
